Local

Cole Devlin bravely attempts to stay on the saddle in the bull riding competition during the Mountain Top Rodeo at the R-Ranch.

Cole Devlin bravely attempts to stay on the saddle in the bull riding competition during the Mountain Top Rodeo at the R-Ranch.

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R-Ranch hosts annual Mountain Top Rodeo

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The R-Ranch hosted its 34th annual Mountain Top Rodeo over the weekend. The event offered top-of-the-line entertainment and a ton of head-turning action. Things got underway with bareback and saddle bronc action. Taking first in the bareback competition was Tanner Phipps, scoring 79/513.00.
A pie graph from page 28 of the Lumpkin County 2024 Proposed Budget breaks down the different categories of expenditures that impact the General Fund.

A pie graph from page 28 of the Lumpkin County 2024 Proposed Budget breaks down the different categories of expenditures that impact the General Fund.

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County set to review $28 million dollar budget proposal

Keith Murden
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
At the June Work Session of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, Finance Director Abby Branan outlined a preliminary budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024. County staff recommended a total budget of $28,328,300, an increase of $1.85 million dollars over FY 2023 spending.
City Hall was packed with concerned citizens last Monday as meeting-goers stepped to the mic to address multiple issues.

City Hall was packed with concerned citizens last Monday as meeting-goers stepped to the mic to address multiple issues.

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Open container ordinance debated by City

News Staff
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
By Keith Murden & Matt Aiken / The Nugget  ----------  A packed meeting room greeted Dahlonega City Council members last Monday night as numerous residents argued for looser open container laws.
Hayden Phipps competes in the 2022 R-Ranch Rodeo in the Bronc competition.

Hayden Phipps competes in the 2022 R-Ranch Rodeo in the Bronc competition.

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Rodeo competition set to return to R-Ranch this weekend

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
In the words of the great John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” Competitors will test that same courage once again this week as they saddle up for the 34th annual Mountain Top Rodeo at R-Ranch.
Shannon Caldwell shows off her automated Gammill longarm machine at The Common Thread.

Shannon Caldwell shows off her automated Gammill longarm machine at The Common Thread.

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Local quilt shop focuses on close-knit community

Keith Murden
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
The Common Thread has served the quilting needs of Lumpkin County since it first opened in 2008. After celebrating its 15th anniversary in January, the store moved from its previous location at 598 Grove Street North to a brand new building at 5015 South Chestatee St.
The view atop Preachers Rock could soon cost hikers $5 to see, as the United States Forest Service is considering funding options to keep trailhead parking lots and other facilities maintained.

The view atop Preachers Rock could soon cost hikers $5 to see, as the United States Forest Service is considering funding options to keep trailhead parking lots and other facilities maintained.

Woody Gap parking fees proposed by Forest Service

Keith Murden
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
The United States Forest Service recently outlined a proposal to increase existing fees to use its federal recreation sites, as well as to add brand new fees at previously free sites throughout the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest region.
A display near the beginning of the Yahoola Creek Reservoir trail shares a planned expansion and other improvements that are set to be made to the area.

A display near the beginning of the Yahoola Creek Reservoir trail shares a planned expansion and other improvements that are set to be made to the area.

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Yahoola Creek Reservoir trail set for expansion

Keith Murden
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
The popular Yahoola Creek Reservoir/Lake Zwerner property is set to receive a major facelift after the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a contract with Steele & Associates, Inc. for $122,835 worth of improvements.
Vietnam veteran Paul Hanson addresses the crowd at Veterans Park during the annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 27. Hanson has played a leading role in the biannual effort to place Memorial Flag Markers along Dahlonega’s roadsides.

Vietnam veteran Paul Hanson addresses the crowd at Veterans Park during the annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 27. Hanson has played a leading role in the biannual effort to place Memorial Flag Markers along Dahlonega’s roadsides.

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Fallen heroes honored for Memorial Day

Keith Murden
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Local residents gathered on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning to remember Dahlonega’s fallen service members at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony held in Lumpkin County Veterans Park.
Executive Editor Matt Aiken has spent many hours in the basement writing School of Sleuths, which is soon to be his his first published novel. Much like the main characters in the book, Aiken kept track of the multiple mysterious plot points with a large tack-filled bulletin board deemed “The Crazy Board.”

Executive Editor Matt Aiken has spent many hours in the basement writing School of Sleuths, which is soon to be his his first published novel. Much like the main characters in the book, Aiken kept track of the multiple mysterious plot points with a large tack-filled bulletin board deemed “The Crazy Board.”

Nugget Editor Matt Aiken emerges from basement with new novel

News Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Nugget Executive Editor Matt Aiken has spent the last decade or so reporting the facts and just the facts. Until now. “I wanted to make something up,” he said while sitting at his desk in The Nugget office. “With reporting you have to be as factual as possible. And that’s the way it should be.
In this aerial photo Yahoola Creek Park baseball fields four and six are visible, with red lines indicating the possible locations of a future artificial turf multipurpose field and baseball diamond.

In this aerial photo Yahoola Creek Park baseball fields four and six are visible, with red lines indicating the possible locations of a future artificial turf multipurpose field and baseball diamond.

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Parks & Rec fields could get $2.8 million revamp

Keith Murden
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Governor Brian Kemp has announced two preliminary grant awards totaling $2,815,318 will be made available to Lumpkin County for specific improvements to existing athletic fields in Yahoola Creek Park.